Tough prop forward Tom Walker, who has a “full house” of Cumbria’s three professional RL teams on his CV has re-signed for Whitehaven.
Clearly happy with his lot, and reciprocated by Haven, the 26-year-old Walker has signed a three-year deal which will keep him at the LEL Arena until the end of 2024.
Walker who first joined the club for the curtailed 2020 Championship season is a no-nonsense forward who completed the Cumbrian treble when signing for the club at the end of 2019.
He had spent three seasons at Barrow, making 73 appearances, but was used as an impact player off the bench in 51 of those games.
Walker had actually helped Barrow win promotion from League One and was in the team that beat Haven in the play-off final.
Workington Town were Walker’s first professional club and before joining Barrow in 2016 he had made 60 appearances for the Derwent Park club.
Walker has been firmly in the plans of the coaching staff since coming to the LEL Arena and head coach Jonty Gorley was delighted to get the deal done.
He said: “It’s great to have Tom back on board as he is a proven Championship front rower who brings us some experience in that area.
“I see him as one of our leaders and he was one of the first players I spoke to after being asked to be head coach. I’ve known and coached Tom for a long time now and he’s the type of player a coach wants in his squad, tough and uncompromising who knows how to play. I still think Tom has a lot more to give and I’m glad this will be at Whitehaven.”
Director Ashley Kilpatrick added: “It’s fantastic to have Tom commit to the club for the next three years. He’s a hard-working front rower and a great lad off the field.
“I know Tom had interest from other clubs but he’s decided his future lies with us for the next three years which is huge for the club. I believe in the next three years you will see the best of Tom and I think he will really flourish under Jonty.”
